Thread: Incredibly uncomfortable - not getting better.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

I would be interested to know if any of the technical minded gentlemen(women) have ever imaged this actually happening. Nails are made of the same thing as hair, so I would like to know how this could happen.

Well, this is how I see it:

A solid piece of wood is also made from the same stuff that tissue paper is made from, but if you' re wiping your blade with tissue paper and a small piece slides over the edge, it won't be a big deal. Now, try the same with a block of wood over your edge and....I think you know what will happen to this one!

Also, as a matter of interest, Rhino horn is made from keratin as well (same as hair and nails), but that is very hard.

It would be like slamming your shave ready blade closed on your scales if it does not centre perfectly. Edge=ruined.

The densities thickness and composition of keratin makes all the difference.

+1 on the idea that you should start with the really easy sections of your face and shave DE or otherwise for the rest. Then, as you gradually move up to other, more difficult parts of your face, you will wonder why it was such a big deal in the first place. Also, keep in mind "light touch". My beard is very thick around my chin. The propensity for me when I get to the really thick stuff is to apply too much pressure, like you really want to mow that stuff. I experienced a lot of pain and weepers in that area until I had the discipline to just go lightly. Now, it's one of my favorite areas to shave. All the best.

[QUOTE=souschefdude;671528]

Originally Posted by onimaru55

As has been explained this is a test used at bevel setting stage only. It is damaging to a shave ready razor.
QUOTE]
I would be interested to know if any of the technical minded gentlemen(women) have ever imaged this actually happening. Nails are made of the same thing as hair, so I would like to know how this could happen.

I don't have any pics of a thumbnail tested edge but this one was only lightly brushed against a fingernail. You can see the deflection in the centre of edge.
I think leadingedge explained the difference between hair & nails well.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

I would be interested to know if any of the technical minded gentlemen(women) have ever imaged this actually happening. Nails are made of the same thing as hair, so I would like to know how this could happen.

They are structured differently. While nails are almost pure keratin, hair is made up of a core of dead cells surrounded by a shell of very thin keratin plates.

So comparing nails to hair is like comparing a 2x4 to a hollow cylinder of balsa wood.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I don't have any pics of a thumbnail tested edge but this one was only lightly brushed against a fingernail. You can see the deflection in the centre of edge.
I think leadingedge explained the difference between hair & nails well.

Brilliant photo there Oz, that says it all!

So I waited a bit too long before shaving again, and took the suggestion to just do my cheeks and jawline... And WOW!

I held the blade pretty much flat against my face and did ultrashort strokes, and it was so much better! the cut wasn't particularly clean, but with such confidence, I did my mustache area as well (using the bottom edge of the blade) and found it to be so much sharper... I think my blade just needs a good honing, and I'll practice with a narrower angle, because it was just so much more comfortable!

apologies for not fully reading all the replies.. but i had to first compliment you on your username.. i think we can all agree that the honey badger is the world's coolest animal...

anyway.. like that which was previously said.. there is no such thing as too heavy of a beard for a straight..

if you have good prep, good lather, a shave ready blade, and good technique.. it won't matter how sensitive your skin.. you are cutting hair and not face..

i mean.. sure a razor exfoliates to a point.. but you shouldn't be removing layers of skin when you shave.. the blade should be gliding along your face and cutting your facial hair off at the base.. leaving a hairless face.. and with enough practice you too may one day have a face fit for hollywood.

keep shaving and let me kick the dead horse by saying.. read the wiki.

I've been experimenting with blade angles and you CAN get TOO flat or too steep...however, this too is an individual thing. Also...with the grain, across the grain and against the grain shaving with the st8 all command different angles...and to top it off, few if any beards all have the same angle/directions of growth. For example, the whiskers on my cheeks and jaw generally grow downward while the area under the jaw on the side of my neck in between the neck muscles and the windpipe grows diagonally from the front to the rear. A real bee-otch to shave BBS with the str8 but worse with the DE. The area under my chin is basically straight down. As I've referenced before, I have a goatee so I haven't developed the aptitude shaving that area. Hope this helps. Have a great shave day.

well put...we have to use the basics/fundamentals but in the end, it's a blend of art and science and we all have to find our oen way that works.

markevans...very good analogy I might add...you obviously have some higher level knowledge of anatomy...